Page 88 of Loved By You

“I have a package for a Ria Kennedy,” one of the hotel staff says from the doorway.

“That’s me, thank you,” I reply, taking a black gift bag with white ribbon on it from his hand and Ali takes the large white box from him. I close the door and walk over toward the table under the window of our hotel suite.

“Oh my God, open it,” Ali screeches.

I untie the ribbon and reach inside and pull out a long black velvet box.

I open the box slowly and gasp. The most stunning platinum diamond tennis bracelet sparkles before me.

“Holy shit, that's gorgeous,” Gabby gasps, leaning over me to take a glimpse.

My hand flies over my mouth and I can't decide if I am going to laugh or cry from shock. How did I get so lucky?

I pass the box to Ali, and she helps put the bracelet on. It is the most beautiful piece of jewelry I have ever worn. I can't stop looking at it.

“What's in there?” Gabby asks, pointing at the box on the table. In all the excitement of the bracelet, I forgot there was another gift. I take the lid off the large white circular box and inside are too many perfectly shaped red roses to count.

“Oh, my God!” I gasp, too stunned to speak.

I reach for the card, my shaky fingers fumbling to pull it free from the envelope.

I may never find the right words perfect enough to describe how much you mean to me, but I will spend my days searching for them because you, Ria, are worth every one.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Jack

There she is, looking absolutely breathtaking as she walks towards me in her gold satin dress, her hair falling effortlessly around her face, a glint in her eyes and I spot the tennis bracelet I had sent to the girls’ room sparkling on her delicate wrist, and it makes my heart skip a fucking beat.

No woman has affected me the way Ria does, never made me feel or think about things the way she does. Watching her now, walking towards me like she’s walking on water, makes me think how good it would feel to watch her walk towards me in a white gown and become my wife.

A firm hand slaps against my back. “Breathe, buddy, breathe. You are no good to her passed out on the floor,” Harry whispers.

And I let out a breath, long and slow.

“Fuck, you are so pussy whipped” he laughs, I smirk at him, not missing the way he’s looking at a certain someone.

“Hey action man,” she says with a smile that makes my heart do a weird flutter and my dick twitch all at the same time.

“Sweetheart, you look absolutely stunning.” I slink an arm around her waist and pull her towards me, pressing my lips to hers, not giving a damn about where we are or who’s around us. I push my tongue between her lips and let out a little moan when she opens up and her tongue entangles with mine.

“Get a room,” Harry chants like a disgruntled teenage boy. Ria smiles against my lips before I break our kiss and turn to Harry, giving him a murderous look.

“Sorry, man, but some of us are single and don’t need it rubbed in our faces.”

“And whose fault is that?” Ali injects, never missing a moment to wind Harry up.

“And what’s your excuse, Ali cat? I don't see you with a man. Maybe if you changed your attitude, you’d find one willing to take you on.”

Ali lets out a shocked laugh. “I’d really love to give a fuck about your opinion of me, but it doesn’t really go with my outfit,” she declares, staring at him like she wants to claw his face.

“Oooh, who sprinkled the bitch dust when you were getting ready? The party’s barely begun, babe, and you've given me your best lines already.”

Ali steps closer to Harry, reaching for his face. Convinced she’s about to slap the taste out of his mouth, we all hold our breath, but to our surprise, she strokes his cheek. “Oh, sweetie, why don’t you leave the sarcasm and insults to the adults? Wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself. Instead, why don't you go play in traffic with the other juveniles?” Tapping his face firmly, she then walks off like she’s walking the runway at Fashion Week.Harry being Harry instantly follows her, no doubt hurling more insults at her.

“Those two are either going to fuck each other silly or kill each other,” I say, looking down at Ria.

“I hope it's the latter,” she giggles.

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